Sam Sanderson is an independent, resourceful, high-tech cheerleader. She dreams of becoming an award-winning journalist like her mother, so she’s always looking for articles to publish in her middle-school paper (where she secretly hopes to become chief editor). With a police officer for a father, Sam is in no short supply of writing material.

In the third book of the Samantha Sanderson series, when the school’s grades were tampered with, Sam must enlist Makayla’s help in hacking the system to discover the virus that was used and who committed the crime. But when the lead suspect is her newfound friend, Felicia, Sam must choose whether to stick by her friends at all costs or report the story as she sees it.

The Samantha Sanderson series is about an ordinary girl with extraordinary dreams. Each book touches on a crime straight from headlines, from bomb threats to bullying, while following Samantha and her friends as they navigate middle-school and questions of faith.

Who tampered with Robinson Middle School's report card grades? Crack reporter Sam is on the case for a school newspaper scoop in this third Samantha Sanderson FaithGirlz! title. Turns out the problem is a computer virus. But how did it get installed---and affect only their school's report cards? Sam enlists best friend Makayla, a "computer ninja," to help figure out what's going on. Mac's explanations make her sound like a talking textbook, but techie readers will enjoy the hunt for answers in this timely tale of cyber security. Add Sam's ethical quandaries (Do you protect a friend from press exposure if she might be guilty? How far can you probe to get a scoop?) and run-ins with the mean-spirited student editor, and you have a full plate of intense middle-school angst. Sam's snappy assertiveness will play well with series fans who will also appreciate her thoughtful, Christian-perspective ruminations on maintaining honor and honesty in the dog-eat-dog world of competitive journalism. --- Anne O'Malley